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ambershelf 's review for:
Memory Piece
by Lisa Ko
The 1980s. New York. Teenagers Giselle Chin, Jackie Ong, and Ellen Ng form an unlikely friendship over their desire for something different. Over time, their friendships evolve, and by 2040, the world has become vastly different from what they've envisioned. How does one live a meaningful life in an ever-changing world? And how do our memories inform our decisions?
Once in a while, I'll come across a book that is so profound yet nuanced the message exists at the edge of my consciousness. MEMORY PIECE is precisely that. Readers' enjoyment of the book will primarily come from one's interpretations.
So while it's been blurbed as a book similar to TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW (Gabrielle Zevin)—the similarities stop at following three childhood friends through decades—I feel that it might find more success in patient readers who are comfortable reading between the lines.
With compelling and expansive writing, MEMORY PIECE explores how seemingly trivial experiences crystallize in our minds, how our memories can be life-changing to carry us through tough times, and its importance in fighting against collective forgetfulness in reminding us never to forget history.
Ko beautifully examines these themes via the trio across class & time and what "memory piece" signifies. Giselle's insight of maximizing one's present to savor memories (present), Jackie's belief in creating a platform for collective memories to build a community (future), and Ellen's view that the memory of solidarity is a source to draw strength from (past) are fascinating, and gave me much to ponder.
MEMORY PIECE is truly a unique & thought-provoking book. Elena and I read this together and ended up having vastly different takeaways! It's the perfect book to buddy-read with your bffs, decode all the hidden meanings, and revisit as you age. For me, MEMORY PIECE is the nostalgia that what is won't last forever and what could've been will never happen. So all we have is each other in the present—our community, unwavering dedication, love & friendship.
Once in a while, I'll come across a book that is so profound yet nuanced the message exists at the edge of my consciousness. MEMORY PIECE is precisely that. Readers' enjoyment of the book will primarily come from one's interpretations.
So while it's been blurbed as a book similar to TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW (Gabrielle Zevin)—the similarities stop at following three childhood friends through decades—I feel that it might find more success in patient readers who are comfortable reading between the lines.
With compelling and expansive writing, MEMORY PIECE explores how seemingly trivial experiences crystallize in our minds, how our memories can be life-changing to carry us through tough times, and its importance in fighting against collective forgetfulness in reminding us never to forget history.
Ko beautifully examines these themes via the trio across class & time and what "memory piece" signifies. Giselle's insight of maximizing one's present to savor memories (present), Jackie's belief in creating a platform for collective memories to build a community (future), and Ellen's view that the memory of solidarity is a source to draw strength from (past) are fascinating, and gave me much to ponder.
MEMORY PIECE is truly a unique & thought-provoking book. Elena and I read this together and ended up having vastly different takeaways! It's the perfect book to buddy-read with your bffs, decode all the hidden meanings, and revisit as you age. For me, MEMORY PIECE is the nostalgia that what is won't last forever and what could've been will never happen. So all we have is each other in the present—our community, unwavering dedication, love & friendship.